Jointed door assembly

ABSTRACT

A door assembly which includes a metal door frame in the shape of a rectangle, and a door which includes an articulated fourpiece metal frame, pinned and movable between the door frame. Between the articulated frame and the door frame, and secured to both is flexible material, such as butyl rubber coated nylon, which forms the main portion of the door. The articulated frame, when in an open position, forms a quadrilateral opening which defines a doorway and permits personnel to pass through. Suitably positioned springs make the open articulated frame self-closing and, thereby, close the doorway. The articulated frame may be mated with the articulated frame of another similar door assembly which is attached to another structure and, in that way, permits passage between the structures.

United States Patent Cromwell [54] J OINTED DOOR ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: Douglas E. Cromwell, St. Charles,

Ill.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force [22] Filed: July 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 166,888

[52] US. Cl. ..160/87, 160/179, 160/180 [51] Int. Cl ..E06b 7/28, E06b 7/32 [58] Field of Search ..l60/87, 179, 180, DIG. 8; 135/14 D [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 528,391 10/1894 Rinn ..135/14 D 2,560,66l 7ll95l Poovey .....160/l79 3,136,356 6/1964 Mears ..160/87 51 Sept. 19, 1972 Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Philip C. Kannan Attorney-Harry A. Herbert, Jr. et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A door assembly which includes a metal door frame in the shape of a rectangle, and a door which includes an articulated four-piece metal frame, pinned and movable between the door frame. Between the articulated frame and the door frame, and secured to both is flexible material, such as butyl rubber coated nylon, which forms the main portion of the door. The articulated frame, when in an open position forms a quadrilateral opening which defines a doorway and permits personnel to pass through. Suitably positioned springs make the open articulated frame self-closing and, thereby, close the doorway. The articulated frame may be mated with the articulated frame of another similar door assembly which is attached to another structure and, in that way, permits passage between the structures.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 1 9 1972 INV'ENTOR. :DoueLns E. cRoMwE LL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a door assembly and, more particularly, to a door which includes an articulated frame.

It is in the national interest that, during a chemical or bacteriological warfare attack, friendly personnel can swiftly enter a protective structure and, equally important, that they be able to move between and transfer from one protective structure, such as a building or shelter, to another protective structure, such as a mo bile van or taxi, and vice versa, without being exposed to the hostile environmentcreated by the contaminants.

As part of the overall system to achieve these objectives, it is necessary to have a door, attached to a protective structure, which seals against the contaminants in the outside environment which is and remains normally and securely closed; which may be opened rapidly and easily from either side; which is self-closing, i.e., closes automatically, but the self-closing feature of which may be intentionally neutralized; and which may be quickly, effectively and efficiently mated with a similar door attached to another protective structure and, in that way, permits passage between the protective structures, without exposure to the chemical or bacteriological warfare agents.

I have invented a door assembly which incorporates such a door; and I' have, thereby, fulfilled a current critical need and have advanced the state-of-the-art.

Although reference has been made to the use of my invention in the chemical and bacteriological warfare art, it is obvious that this is but one specific application of my. invention. The door assembly may be used in any art, but not necessarily involving a hostile environment, where its novel features are desired or needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to a door assembly which is adapted for, and is especially well-suited for, use in a protective structure which is in acontaminated environment.

An object of this invention is to provide a door assembly in which the door seals against the contaminants in the outside environment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a door assembly in which the door is and remains normally and securely closed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a door assembly in which the door may be opened rapidly and easily from either side.

A further object of this invention is to provide a door assembly in which the door is self-closing, i.e., closes automatically, but the self-closing feature of which may be intentionally neutralized.

A still further object of this invention is toprovide a door assembly, attached to a protective structure, in which the door may be quickly, effectively and efficiently mated with a similar door attached to another protective structure and, thereby, permits passage between the protective structures, without exposure to the contaminated environment.

These objects, and other and related ones, of this invention will become readily apparent after a consideration of the description of the invention and reference to the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, in schematic form and in perspective, of a preferred embodiment of my invention, with the articulated frame in the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view, in schematic form and in perspective, of a preferred embodiment of my invention, with the articulated frame in the fully open position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view, partially fragmented and in schematic form, of a portion of the articulated frame of my invention, showing enlarged and in detail a biasing means formaking the articulated frame selfclosing; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view, enlarged and in detail, in perspective and partially in cross-section ofa representative portion of a door edige member of an articulated frame and of a representative portion of a door edge member of a mating articulated frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the same reference numeral denotes the same component, therein is shown preferred embodiment 10 of my invent1on.

The preferred embodiment 10 includes, as major components, a rigid door frame 20 and a'door which includes an articulated frame 30, pinned and movable between and within door frame 20, and-flexible material 60disposed and secured between door frame 20 an articulated frame 30 and joined to both.

Rigid door frame 20 is preferably of metal and is in the form, substantially, of a rectangle, with opposing upper and lower parallel horizontal sides 23 and 24 and with opposing parallel vertical sides 21 and 22 which are substantially longer than horizontal sides 23 and 24.

Flexible material 60 forms the main portion of the door; is made, preferably, of 0.025 inch thick butyl rubber coated nylon; and forms a seal, between articulated frame 30 and door frame 20, against the contaminants in the outside environment.

Articulated frame 30, which is shown in a closed position in FIG. 1, is openable as far as the fully open position shown in FIG. 2. Articulated frame 30 includes four rigid and jointed door edge members 31, 32, 33 and 34 which are preferably of metal. First door edge members 31 and 32 are of equal length. Second door edge members 33 and 34 are also of equal length, but are longer than the first two members 31 and 32.

First door edge members 31 and 32 are pivotally connected at one end by pivot 51 to guide 52 which is movable vertically on guide rods 53 and 54 between upper horizontal side 23 and cross member 55.

Cross member 55 has opposite ends disposed within door frame 20, with one end affixed to vertical side 21 and with the other end affixed to the other vertical side 22. Cross member 55 is parallel to horizontal side 23 and is located nearer to horizontal side 23 than to horizontal side 24.

Guide rods 53 and 54 are equal in length and are positioned vertically, in parallel spaced relationship to each other, near the midpoint of horizontal side 23 and of cross member 55, with one end of each rod 53 and 54 affixed to horizontal side 23 and with the other end of each affixed to cross member 55. r

Movable guide 52 has apertures therein which are spaced and dimensioned to accept guide rods 53 and 54 and to permit vertical movement of guide 52 on guide rods 53 and 54, between horizontal member 23 and cross member 55.

With reference to FIG. 1, when articulated frame is in a closed position, first door edge members 31 and 32 abut and second door edge members 33 and 34 abut, and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, all abutting members have at their interface a seal 39, 40, 41 and 42 which assists in sealing against the contaminants in the outside environment.

' With reference to FIG. 2 and to articulated frame 30, the other end of first door edge member 31 is hinged, by suitable conventional means 35, to one end of second door edge member 33. Similarly, the other end i of first door edge member 32 is hinged, by suitable conventional means 36, to one end of second door edge member 34. The other end of each second door edge member 33 and 34 is pivotally connected fixedly, by pivot 56 which is fixed to and at the midpoint of lower horizontal side 24.

With reference to FIG. 3, therein are shown in a front elevation view, partially fragmented and in schematic form, enlarged and in detail, a portion of articulated frame 30 and a preferred biasing means for making articulated frame 30 self-closing when it is in an open position, other than the fully open position shown in FIG. 2. It is here to be noted that articulated frame 30 need not be fully open to permit personnel to pass through it. Also shown in FIG. 3 are door edge seals 39, 40, 4l-and 42.

Again with reference to FIG. 3, and also with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the biasing means includes coiled springs 37 and 38 which are of the same length and of the same expansion and contraction characteristics. One end or loop of spring 37 is connected to the external side of first door edge member 31, and the other end or loop of spring 37 is connected to the external side of second door edge member 33, on either side of and near the open end of hinge 35 and away from center hinge point 35A. One end or loop of spring 38 is connected to the external side of first door edge member 32, and the other end or loop is connected the external side of second door edge member 34, on either side of and near the open end of hinge 36 and away from center hinge point 36A. Each spring 37 and 38 is, thereby, suitably positioned to urge the closing and to close, respectively, hinge 35 and hinge 36. The placement of spring 37 and spring 38 on the external side of door edge members 31, 32, 33 and 34 is solely a matter of preference and not one of limitation. Each spring 37 and 38 could be placed on the internal side of the appropriate door edge members and would satisfactorily perform the same function. Similarly, two sets of coiled springs, rather than one set (i.e., springs 37 and 38), could be concurrently used with one set of springs positioned on the external side of the appropriate door edge members and with the other set of springs positioned on the internal side of the appropriate door edge members.

With reference to FIG. 4, therein are shown representative portions 70 and 80, enlarged and in detail, in perspective and partially in cross-section, of mating articulated frames of door assemblies, which are similar to the door assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and which are attached to different protective structures.

It is to be noted that between door edge member 71 and its interface seal 72 is interposed male type component 73 projecting outwardly therefrom. Likewise, between door edge member 81 and its interface seal 82 is interposed female type component 83 projecting outwardly therefrom. The arrows indicate how, when the projecting components 73 and 83 are pushed or pressed together, they fit and mate.

The flexible material associated with each of these portions and of the articulated frames is represented by 74in one and 84 in the other.

All door edge members of the articulated frame of which door edge member 71 is a component have the same male type protrusion such as 73. Similarly, all door edge members of the articulated frame of which door edge member 81 is a component have the same female type protrusion such as 83. Thereby, the two articulated frames may be quickly, effectively and efficiently mated; and, as may be surmised, once the two articulated frames are mated, both act as one, i.e. they open and close as one articulated frame. However, the mated articulated frames may be quickly and easily separated merely by pulling them apart.

MODE OF OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Assuming that embodiment 10 is attached to a protective structure, articulated frame 30 remains normally and securely closed as shown in FIG. 1, and articulated frame 30, with door edge seals 39, 40, 41 and 42, and flexible material 60 seal against the contaminants in the outside environment. Nevertheless, articulated frame 30 may be opened rapidly and easily from either side of embodiment 10 by applying pressure to move door edge members 31, 32, 33 and 34 apart, i.e. away from each other.

With the application of parting pressure, such as by someone desiring to pass through articulated frame 30, door edge members 31, 32, 33 and 34 move sidewardly outward, as door edge members 33 and 34 pivot on fixed pivot 56, and as door edge members 31 and 32 pivot on pivot 51 and also move downwardly as guide 52 moves vertically downwardly on guide rods 53 and 54. Simultaneously, flexible material 60 is displaced sidewardly outward. As a result, a quadrilateral opening which defines a doorway, such as shown in FIG. 2, is formed by rigid and jointed door edge members 31, 32, 33 and 34, and the individual may pass through the doorway.

The open articulated frame 30, i.e. the doorway, remains open as long as the parting pressure is applied. When the parting pressure is removed, as when someone has passed through open articulated frame 30 and is no longer applying pressure to it, the biasing means, i.e. springs 37 and 38, moves door edge members 31, 32, 33 and 34 sidewardly inward, as door edge members 33 and 34 pivot on fixed pivot 56, and as door edge members 31 and 32 pivot on pivot 51 and also move upwardly as guide 52 moves vertically upwardly on guide rods 53 and 54. At the same time, flexible material 60 is pulled or displaced sidewardly inward. The removal of the parting pressure thereby results in the closing of articulated frame 30 and of the doorway formed by open articulated frame 30. The closed articulated frame 30 is then in the position shown in FIG.

If desired, such as when two similar articulated frames are mated to permit constant passage between two protective structures, the self-closing feature may be neutralized by intentionally opening articulated frame 30 to the fully open position shown in FIG. 2.

When articulated frame 30 is in the fully open position,

door edge member 31 is farther apart from door edge member 33 than is shown in FIG. 3. In other words, hinge 35 is opened wider and spring 37 is, thereby, displaced or moved to a position nearer, or to center hinge print 35 A and will no longer urge the closing of hinge 35. At the same time, and similarly, hinge 36 is opened wider and spring 38 is displaced or moved to a position nearer, or to center hinge point 36A and, likewise, will no longer urge the closing of hinge 36. As a result, fully open articulated frame 30 will remain fully open until pressure is applied to push door edge members 31, 32,

33 and 34 toward each other sufficiently to actuate the biasing means and, thereby, close articulated frame 30.

While there has been shown and described the fundamental features of the invention, as applied to a preferred embodiment and as adapted for a particular use, it is to be understood that various substitutions and omissions may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, pivots may be used instead of hinges 35 and 36.

What is claimed is:

l. A door frame assembly, comprising:

a. a rigid door frame, substantially rectangular in form, with opposing parallel vertical sides and opposing upper and lower parallel horizontal sides, with said vertical sides being substantially longer than said horizontal sides;

b. a cross member with opposite ends disposed within said door frame, with one said end afiixed to one said vertical side of said door frame, with the other said end affixed to the other said vertical side of said door frame, and with said cross member being parallel to said horizontal sides of said door frame, and with said cross member being located nearer to said upper horizontal side of said door frame;

c. two guide rods, equal in length, positioned vertically, and in parallel spaced relationship to each other, near the midpoint of said upper horizontal side of said door frame and near the midpoint of said cross member, with one end of each said rod affixed to said upper horizontal side and with the other end of each said rod affixed to said cross member;

. a movable guide with apertures therein spaced and dimensioned to accept said guide rods and to permit vertical movement of said guide on said guide rods, with said guide positioned on said guide rods and disposed between said upper horizontal side of said door frame and said cross member;

e. and, a door, comprising:

1. a closed articulated frame which is openable and is positioned within said door frame, and which includes four rigid and jointed door edge fieilll fiih ilfi iglf ulf nfivlllihigfi i two of said members being each of equal length and longer than said first two members, and with said first two members pivotally connected at one end to said movable guide and with the other end hinged to one end of each of said second members, and with the other end of each of the said second members pivotally connected fixedly at the midpoint of said lower horizontal side of said door frame, and with said first two members abutting and said second two members abutting and all said members having at their interface a seal;

2. flexible material disposed and secured between said articulated frame and said door frame and joined to both, with said flexible material forming a seal between said articulated frame and said door frame, and with said flexible material forming the main portion of said door;

3. and biasing means on said articulated frame members for making said openable articulated frame self-closing when said articulated frame is in an open position, other than the fully open position;

whereby when pressure is applied to open, other than to the fully open position, said closed articulated frame, then said flexible material and said four jointed door edge members of said articulated frame move sidewardly outward, with said first two members also moving downwardly as said guide moves downwardly on said guide rods, with said four jointed door edge members forming a quadrilateral opening which defines a doorway, and whereby with removal of the pressure said biasing self-closing means moves said flexible material and said four jointed door edge members of said opened articulated frame sidewardly inward, with said first two members also moving upwardly as said guide moves upwardly on :said guide rods and, thereby, closing said articulated frame and the doorway formed thereby.

2. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid door frame is of metal.

3. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rigid and jointed door edge member of said articulated frame is of metal.

4. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible material is butyl rubber coated nylon.

5. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said biasing means includes a plurality of suitably positioned coiled springs.

6. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rigid and jointed door edge member of said articulated frame has, between its abutting edge and its interface seal, a male type component which projects outwardly therefrom.

7. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rigid and jointed door edge member of said articulated frame has, between its abutting edge and its interface seal, a female type component which projects outwardly therefrom. 

1. A door frame assembly, comprising: a. a rigid door frame, substantially rectangular in form, with opposing parallel vertical sides and opposing upper and lower parallel horizontal sides, with said vertical sides being substantially longer than said horizontAl sides; b. a cross member with opposite ends disposed within said door frame, with one said end affixed to one said vertical side of said door frame, with the other said end affixed to the other said vertical side of said door frame, and with said cross member being parallel to said horizontal sides of said door frame, and with said cross member being located nearer to said upper horizontal side of said door frame; c. two guide rods, equal in length, positioned vertically, and in parallel spaced relationship to each other, near the midpoint of said upper horizontal side of said door frame and near the midpoint of said cross member, with one end of each said rod affixed to said upper horizontal side and with the other end of each said rod affixed to said cross member; d. a movable guide with apertures therein spaced and dimensioned to accept said guide rods and to permit vertical movement of said guide on said guide rods, with said guide positioned on said guide rods and disposed between said upper horizontal side of said door frame and said cross member; e. and, a door, comprising:
 1. a closed articulated frame which is openable and is positioned within said door frame, and which includes four rigid and jointed door edge members, with the first two of said members being each of equal length, and with the second two of said members being each of equal length and longer than said first two members, and with said first two members pivotally connected at one end to said movable guide and with the other end hinged to one end of each of said second members, and with the other end of each of the said second members pivotally connected fixedly at the midpoint of said lower horizontal side of said door frame, and with said first two members abutting and said second two members abutting and all said members having at their interface a seal;
 2. flexible material disposed and secured between said articulated frame and said door frame and joined to both, with said flexible material forming a seal between said articulated frame and said door frame, and with said flexible material forming the main portion of said door;
 3. and biasing means on said articulated frame members for making said openable articulated frame self-closing when said articulated frame is in an open position, other than the fully open position; whereby when pressure is applied to open, other than to the fully open position, said closed articulated frame, then said flexible material and said four jointed door edge members of said articulated frame move sidewardly outward, with said first two members also moving downwardly as said guide moves downwardly on said guide rods, with said four jointed door edge members forming a quadrilateral opening which defines a doorway, and whereby with removal of the pressure said biasing self-closing means moves said flexible material and said four jointed door edge members of said opened articulated frame sidewardly inward, with said first two members also moving upwardly as said guide moves upwardly on said guide rods and, thereby, closing said articulated frame and the doorway formed thereby.
 2. flexible material disposed and secured between said articulated frame and said door frame and joined to both, with said flexible material forming a seal between said articulated frame and said door frame, and with said flexible material forming the main portion of said door;
 2. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid door frame is of metal.
 3. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rigid and jointed door edge member of said articulated frame is of metal.
 3. and biasing means on said articulated frame members for making said openable articulated frame self-closing when said articulated frame is in an open position, other than the fully open position; whereby when pressure is applied to open, other than to the fully open position, said closed articulated frame, then said flexible material and said four jointed door edge members of said articulated frame move sidewardly outward, with said first two members also moving downwardly as said guide moves downwardly on said guide rods, with said four jointed door edge members forming a quadrilateral opening which defines a doorway, and whereby with removal of the pressure said biasing self-closing means moves said flexible material and said four jointed door edge members of said opened articulated frame sidewardly inward, with said first two members also moving upwardly as said guide moves upwardly on said guide rods and, thereby, closing said articulated frame and the doorway formed thereby.
 4. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible material is butyl rubber coated nylon.
 5. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said biasing means includes a plurality of suitably positioned coiled springs.
 6. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rigid and jointed door edge member of said articulated frame has, between its abutting edge and its interface seal, a male type component which projects outwardly therefrom.
 7. A door frame assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rigid and jointed door edge member of sAid articulated frame has, between its abutting edge and its interface seal, a female type component which projects outwardly therefrom. 